APLS Opens Public Comment Period on Gender Ideology Code Change

From APLS Chairman John Wahl

The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) has announced the opening of a public comment period for a proposed code amendment addressing material containing gender ideology in Alabama's libraries. The code change follows a vote by the APLS Board at its July meeting to approve moving forward with amending state code.

The proposed amendment came in response to requests from concerned parents regarding books containing positive depictions of transgender procedures aimed at children. The change seeks to strengthen existing guidelines by making clear that library sections designated for minors under the age of 18 must remain free from sexual topics deemed inappropriate for children and youth. The new language specifically states:

"Under this section, any material that promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders shall be considered inappropriate for children and youth."

If adopted, this language will be incorporated into state code and will require that books containing such content be relocated to an adult section, where parents can decide whether their children should have access. The comment period will remain open until October 14, 2025. After reviewing all input, the APLS Board will determine the final wording to be adopted.

John Wahl, Chairman of the Alabama Public Library Service Board, said the amendment is ultimately about protecting young people and supporting parents.

"This amendment establishes a clear standard for Alabama libraries and preserves their role as trusted, family-friendly spaces in our communities. Libraries should be places of learning and literacy—not a battleground for social experiments. The goal of this amendment is to address the growing concerns of parents and community members about the accessibility of sexual topics in library sections dedicated to minors. We have a duty to protect children from sexualization and radical ideologies that seek to confuse them about who they are. Alabama families deserve to know they can trust our library youth sections to be safe and age-appropriate," Wahl said. 

"This amendment provides that safeguard. It does not remove books from adults or silence public debate, but it does make clear that sensitive issues surrounding gender ideology and transgender procedures should not be pushed on children without parental involvement."

Wahl underscored the balance APLS is trying to achieve between providing access to information and respecting the rights of parents.

"Our libraries are an important part of education and community life in Alabama. Our priority is to put Alabama families back in control of what their children are exposed to. It should be parents—not government institutions—guiding their children through complex issues about identity, gender, and sexuality. This policy ensures that libraries support, rather than undermine, that parental role," he said.

Public Participation Encouraged

APLS officials noted that this process is part of the agency's standard procedure for considering code changes and that community input is vital to the final decision.

"We want to hear from the public," Wahl said. "This is an open process, and every citizen has the right to weigh in. Whether people support the amendment or have concerns, we value that feedback. Public libraries are funded by the people of Alabama, and it's important that their voices are part of shaping these standards."

Written comments must be signed and include a full name and address. All comments must be received by the Alabama Public Library Service no later than 4:30 p.m. CST on October 14, 2025. A public hearing will be held at APLS on October 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CST at the agency's Montgomery office.

For more information on the proposed amendment, including instructions for submitting public comments, visit:
https://aplsws2.apls.state.al.us/publications-training/announcements/comment-period-for-proposed-administrative-code-changes-now-open